Volpe Announces Signing of Three Future Owls
11/14/2018 9:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Bichelmeyer, Fowler, Kostelecky added to fold
HOUSTON – Rice volleyball announced the signing of three student-athletes on Wednesday to enroll in school and join the team in 2019. Ellie Bichelmeyer (Mission Hills, Kan.), Maddie Fowler (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Satasha Kostelecky (Decatur, Texas) signed National Letters of Intent with the Owls.
"This class has size and athleticism, and they come from winning programs both at the high school level and for their club teams," Rice head coach Genny Volpe said. "They will be very strong players at the net for us, both in their abilities to score and to block. They will immediately contribute to our team's success, and help us continue to build on the strong culture we've created."
Ellie Bichelmeyer
Bichelmeyer is a 6'2" outside hitter who currently attends and plays for St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City, Mo. While with the Stars, Bichelmeyer has helped guide her team to district titles, sectional championships, and state final four appearances in all four seasons. The school record holder for both kills and blocks, Bichelmeyer was an All-State selection in 2017 and 2018, as well as an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and the Evelyn Gates Award (top female varsity student-athlete in Kansas City area) winner.
For her career, Bichelmeyer has amassed 650 kills (while hitting .347), 165 blocks, 278 digs, and 75 aces. In her senior season alone, Bichelmeyer has 350 kills (.298), 75 blocks, 169 digs, and 30 aces.
"Ellie is a high-level attacker on the left side that can score at a very efficient rate," said Volpe. "She's also one of the strongest blocking left sides we've recruited to Rice volleyball. Ellie is a versatile attack as well, who can play multiple positions. We're really looking forward to having Ellie in our program and believe she has massive potential."
Maddie Fowler
Fowler is a 6'3" right side/middle blocker who currently attends Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Boca Raton, Fla. native has played a big role in helping lead the Panthers to a regional championship in 2018 and a state-semifinals finalist her junior season.
Fowler was named First Team All-County for Broward and Miami Dade in 2017 and was a second team selection in 2016. Over her career, Fowler amassed 491 kills (hitting .276), with 183 blocks and 47 aces. While with the Panthers her senior season, Fowler has recorded 235 kills (.285) to go along with 70 blocks and 28 aces.
"Maddie is a very athletic player that can play both the middle and right side position," said Volpe. "She takes up a lot of space at the net from a blocking perspective and has a heavy arm. Maddie plays with great intensity and fire, and a very strong work ethic."
Satasha Kostelecky
Kostelecky is a 6'4" middle blocker who currently attends Decatur High School in Decatur, Texas. A native of Decatur, Texas, Kostelecky has helped lead the Lady Eagles to this year's 4A Semifinals of the UIL State Tournament and will face Melissa this Friday, Nov. 16.
Last season Kostelecky recorded 212 kills and 131 blocks and the Lady Eagles advanced to the third round of the playoffs. Kostelecky earned Second Team 4A All-State honors and was the All-Wise Blocker of the Year. In addition to her other accolades, Kostelecky was named the District 9-4A Co-Blocker of the Year and earned academic all-district honors.
Last summer, Kostelecky helped USA Volleyball club team (Team Advantage) earn a silver medal at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis and earned Wise County Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore with 133 blocks along with 337 kills.
"Satasha is long, has great blocking instincts, and very good lateral speed," Volpe said. "She's a true middle blocker that defensively will add so much to our team immediately. She also has the ability to score at a very efficient rate and has a very strong volleyball IQ."
-RiceOwls.com-
"This class has size and athleticism, and they come from winning programs both at the high school level and for their club teams," Rice head coach Genny Volpe said. "They will be very strong players at the net for us, both in their abilities to score and to block. They will immediately contribute to our team's success, and help us continue to build on the strong culture we've created."
Ellie Bichelmeyer
Bichelmeyer is a 6'2" outside hitter who currently attends and plays for St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City, Mo. While with the Stars, Bichelmeyer has helped guide her team to district titles, sectional championships, and state final four appearances in all four seasons. The school record holder for both kills and blocks, Bichelmeyer was an All-State selection in 2017 and 2018, as well as an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and the Evelyn Gates Award (top female varsity student-athlete in Kansas City area) winner.
For her career, Bichelmeyer has amassed 650 kills (while hitting .347), 165 blocks, 278 digs, and 75 aces. In her senior season alone, Bichelmeyer has 350 kills (.298), 75 blocks, 169 digs, and 30 aces.
"Ellie is a high-level attacker on the left side that can score at a very efficient rate," said Volpe. "She's also one of the strongest blocking left sides we've recruited to Rice volleyball. Ellie is a versatile attack as well, who can play multiple positions. We're really looking forward to having Ellie in our program and believe she has massive potential."
Maddie Fowler
Fowler is a 6'3" right side/middle blocker who currently attends Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. The Boca Raton, Fla. native has played a big role in helping lead the Panthers to a regional championship in 2018 and a state-semifinals finalist her junior season.
Fowler was named First Team All-County for Broward and Miami Dade in 2017 and was a second team selection in 2016. Over her career, Fowler amassed 491 kills (hitting .276), with 183 blocks and 47 aces. While with the Panthers her senior season, Fowler has recorded 235 kills (.285) to go along with 70 blocks and 28 aces.
"Maddie is a very athletic player that can play both the middle and right side position," said Volpe. "She takes up a lot of space at the net from a blocking perspective and has a heavy arm. Maddie plays with great intensity and fire, and a very strong work ethic."
Satasha Kostelecky
Kostelecky is a 6'4" middle blocker who currently attends Decatur High School in Decatur, Texas. A native of Decatur, Texas, Kostelecky has helped lead the Lady Eagles to this year's 4A Semifinals of the UIL State Tournament and will face Melissa this Friday, Nov. 16.
Last season Kostelecky recorded 212 kills and 131 blocks and the Lady Eagles advanced to the third round of the playoffs. Kostelecky earned Second Team 4A All-State honors and was the All-Wise Blocker of the Year. In addition to her other accolades, Kostelecky was named the District 9-4A Co-Blocker of the Year and earned academic all-district honors.
Last summer, Kostelecky helped USA Volleyball club team (Team Advantage) earn a silver medal at Junior Nationals in Minneapolis and earned Wise County Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore with 133 blocks along with 337 kills.
"Satasha is long, has great blocking instincts, and very good lateral speed," Volpe said. "She's a true middle blocker that defensively will add so much to our team immediately. She also has the ability to score at a very efficient rate and has a very strong volleyball IQ."
-RiceOwls.com-
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